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Last month, I shared a bit about my new home in the hills above Grecia, in Costa Rica's Central Valley region.

I've lived in several places during my time in Costa Rica: Grecia, a Central Valley market town surrounded by sugar cane fields and coffee plantations; Tamarindo, a funky beach resort on the northern Pacific where I learned to surf and enjoyed sunset celebrations with friends every night; and Escazu, a suburb of the capital San Jose, with plenty of modern conveniences but also treasured cultural traditions.

We're at the peak of the dry season here in Costa Rica. It very rarely rains this time of year, the season lasts from about late November to early May. And that means beautiful, blue sky all day.

Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! (Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!)

A lot of things are cheaper here in Costa Rica. You can get bargain real estate, affordable rental homes, and very cheap "whole foods" at the local feria, or farmers' market.

First off, I'd like to welcome all you new Costa Rica Insider members!

I was at Starbucks earlier this week. Yes, Costa Rica has a Starbucks. Two, in fact, here in the suburbs of San José, the capital, with a third on the way.

The Internet is a great resource and communication tool…but I'm still amazed by the amount of misinformation that gets spread around.

I sometimes feel like I write too much about food. But hey, finding new restaurants and food stands is one of my favorite things to do.